County Approves $3.4 Million Loan Expansion for Palo Verde Hospital

The Riverside County Board of Supervisors has approved a $3.4 million loan expansion to support struggling Palo Verde Hospital.

In a 4-0 vote, board members formally signed off on the emergency release of funds from the county’s general fund. The financial assistance is aimed at keeping the hospital’s emergency department operational.

Palo Verde Hospital filed for Chapter 9 bankruptcy protection last year, and its emergency room is currently the only department still in service.

Medical professionals from Riverside University Health System have been deployed to Blythe as part of the effort to maintain emergency care.

County leaders say without the ER, approximately 20,000 residents would face a drive of more than 70 miles to access emergency medical services.